BBC’s Bodyguard creator reveals the truth about the fate of this major character

It’s the BBC drama that’s caputured the attention of the nation – but viewers were left utterly shocked after Sunday’s night’s episode of Bodyguard saw the death of one of the main characters, Home Secretary Julia Montague.

Julia, played by actress Keeley Hawes, was apparently murdered in a suicide bomb attack – despite her PO David Budd’s (Richard Madden) best efforts to save her.

Most viewers were left shocked at the decision to kill off one of the show’s leads.

However, ever since the dramatic episode, some fans of the show have been convinced that Julia isn’t actually really dead – and that her ‘murder’ could turn out to simply be a huge show twist.

But now, the show’s creator Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty), appears to have confirmed that Julia was in fact killed by her injuries after the bombing – leaving hopeful fans gutted.

Jed, speaking to Radio Times, revealed that the plan was always to kill off the character of the Home Secretary, in order to prove that there was no “can’t-die character”.

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He told the publication, “Keeley would have been available for the whole shoot, if we’d wanted her. But I’d already written the character to die after three episodes. That’s what I wanted to do.”

Jed continued, explaining, “I think there’s a certain expectation with series TV that it will always orbit around an equilibrium, in which nothing much changes for the main stars, and there are no drastic changes to the set-up, especially now things tend to run for several series.

“With my work, I like to try to do things that move the story on, and with Bodyguard I wanted to have this event mid-series that would completely alter the dynamic.”

And it’s safe to say that the dynamic has certainly changed after Julia’s death – particular for DS Budd, who appeared to struggle after losing the government official with whom he had had a rather intimate relationship.

Keeley also appeared to confirm her character’s exit, with a sweet message posted to her Twitter account.

She wrote, ‘It has been amazing to be part of #Bodyguard. Everyone’s enthusiasm for the show has made it so exciting. Thanks again for watching and for the lovely messages. And Iiiiieeiiiieeeiiiiiiiiii will always love youuuuuuuuuuuuu! @_richardmadden’

It has been amazing to be part of #Bodyguard. Everyone’s enthusiasm for the show has made it so exciting. Thanks again for watching and for the lovely messages. And Iiiiieeiiiieeeiiiiiiiiii will always love youuuuuuuuuuuuu! @_richardmaddenpic.twitter.com/ZkLs8PPhn9